Town of Braintree

Bush won Iowa by 14,000 votes

President George W Bush (news - web sites) won re-election with 286 electoral votes while Democratic challenger John Kerry (news - web sites) amassed 252 electoral votes, according to a final tally compiled after the midwestern state of Iowa fell into the Bush
Results from a tight presidential race in Iowa had been delayed since Tuesday's vote while the ballots were counted. Bush won the state by 14,000 votes according to results obtained Friday from the Iowa secretary of state's office.
Iowa's seven electoral votes boosted Bush's final tally in the 538-member Electoral College (news - web sites) to 286. A total of 270 was needed for election and Bush crossed the barrier on Wednesday when Kerry conceded the state of Ohio and its 20 electoral votes.
Bush won 31 states in Tuesday's election while Kerry won 19 states and the nation's capital, Washington, DC.
Only three states changed hands compared to the 2000 race between Bush and Democrat Al Gore (news - web sites). The northeastern state of New Hampshire, won by Bush in 2000, went to Kerry while Iowa and New Mexico, two states won by Gore in 2000, went for Bush.
Bush won 51 percent of the popular vote, or 59.45 million votes, while Kerry won 48 percent of the national vote, or 55.94 percent. Independent candidate Ralph Nader (news - web sites) won slightly more than 400,000 voters or 0.3 percent.
The president of the United States is not elected directly by popular vote but by the 538 members of the Electoral College.
Voters casting their ballots in a US presidential election are actually voting for members of the Electoral College known as electors.
The electors, generally party leaders nominated at the state level, will meet in state capitals on December 13 to cast their ballots for president based on the results of the popular vote in their state.
With two exceptions -- Maine and Nebraska -- the winner of the popular vote in a state receives all of the state's electoral votes.
After they meet on December 13, the Electoral College members will submit their votes under seal to the US Congress, where they will be officially reviewed on January 6.
Final electoral vote count: Bush 286, Kerry 252
Bush will be inaugurated for a second term on January 20.


By who knew this would happen huh

Put Together Boxes for Marines

I wanted to say, but words don't express, my ultimate gratitude for the time taken out of each one of your days to put together boxes for Marines like myself and other servicemembers. C I recieved a box a few weeks back and was overwelmed by your graciousness and selflessness. You are all truly patriotic and unquestionably commited to all of us. Attached is a picture of me when I recieved my Purple Heart.
I am the second from the left. The two other Marines to my left were with me when we were attacked. They were wounded also. You call me a Hero, but to me...YOU all are my Heros. You inspire me and Motivate me to keep going and make me realize again that this is all worth the blood I've shed and the Sacrifices that have been made. I thank all of you for what you are doing for our country by uniting us with ''OpGrat'' (Operation Graditude). My fellow Marines and I were all moved by such heart felt letters from all of you. You are Wonderful people, Real People, that deserve more Thanks and more appreciation then I could ever express. I thank you all for your prayers and words of encouragement that make me the Man and Marine I am. Again You are my Inspiration...My Heros and my Gratitude goes to you all.
LCPL Z. L., UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS -SEMPER FI-

By UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS -SEM

Thank you

No SIr!! You are the hero. I thank you.